Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont responds to reports of RFL chairman change

Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont has commented on the idea of RFL chairman Simon Johnson exiting, something he’s been reportedly pushing for.

The notion that Beaumont was pushing for Johnson’s exit was first reported in the i Paper which claimed that Leigh Leopards and Leeds Rhinos were leading the charge, supported by several other English Super League sides, to try and remove Johnson from his role.

Leigh Leopards are owned by Derek Beaumont who the i named as one of those believed to be involved in the drive for the change with ex-RFL chief executive Nigel Wood lined up as a replacement.

Beaumont has now spoken on BBC Radio Manchester about the possibility of Simon Johnson leaving his role and answered if he thinks Nigel Wood would be a good replacement.

The Leigh owner was full of praise for Johnson’s business nous and previous accomplishments at the RFL but argued that due to his “busy” nature, he cannot be a full-time executive chairman, which Beaumont seemingly believes is necessary.

Leigh Leopards owner responds to reports of RFL chairman change

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester on Thursday, Beaumont said: “Simon (Johnson) has a lot of obligations in a lot of other businesses, he’s a busy guy and he heads up a lot of things which is a testament to his ability to do it.

“He has been involved in rugby league for a long time and has been involved in a lot of successful things like the realignment (of the RFL and Super League), the fighting off of private equity which turned out to be right.”

On the potential need for a full-time chairman, the Leigh Leopards owner continued: “He (Johnson) has been involved in a lot of good things but there might be some people that think a full-time executive chairman might be the way to drive the sport forward, still with strong governance of course.

“Simon certainly couldn’t be a full-time executive chairman so if that’s where it goes and if he thinks that’s the right thing for the sport, then he would need to step away.

“I think he is somebody who can answer his own questions. I’ve seen that there is a proposal there that December is when Simon would be looking to exit. For me, I think we need to see some change in the direction of travel.”

As for the reports regarding Nigel Wood as a stop-gap replacement, Beaumont effectively gave his vote of confidence for the former chief executive.

He said: “If you’re on a boat and someone shoots your captain and there’s a guy that’s sailed it for 20 years, then I think he is probably who I would ask to sail us to calm waters.

“Nigel, for what it’s worth, is the most intelligent man I’ve dealt with in rugby league. You can love or hate him like you can love or hate me but I was part of it when Nigel fell on his sword and we voted away from the RFL for Super League and he went to the Championship.”